If you’re like us, you’ve probably pondered the same thing: how many granite tiles does it take to cover an entire indoor skatepark? According to skateboarding legend Josh Kalis, roughly 1,600. And no, that damn owl didn’t help at all.
But jokes aside, Kalis, with the support of DGK and some dedicated friends, is nearing completion of a new skatepark in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This isn’t just any park, it’s an all-granite indoor space featuring actual slabs of granite from Philadelphia’s iconic Love Park. While the original Love Park is no longer skateable, these slabs offer a tangible connection to late ’90s skateboarding for a new generation. The project is being documented in “The Build,” a YouTube series showcasing the park’s construction and related antics, with Kalis leading the way. We talked with him to dive deeper into the project, the allure of granite, and his desire to build up the local skateboarding community.
Josh Kalis performing a front blunt on a granite ledge at the new skatepark
Where did the idea for this unique skatepark come from?
Kalis explained, “I was talking to one of the guys at DGK, and I was like, skateboarding is super boring right now. It’s literally all the same. Kids are hella good nowadays, but it’s hard to differentiate. Everything just feels stagnant and boring, which made me feel like I was being stagnant and boring.” The idea of an indoor granite park had been brewing in his mind for years, especially during the harsh Michigan winters. DGK’s response was simply, “Go build it.” They were eager to support a passion project for Kalis, and when he estimated the cost (vaguely as “X”), they gave him the green light. When asked who would build it, Kalis replied that he and his friends should be the ones to do it. This would give him something to do during the winter months.
Is it true you included a Philly trash can in the park?
“Hell yeah,” Kalis confirmed, “I drove all the way out to Philly to grab one a couple of weeks ago.” While they haven’t quite figured out its purpose yet, the trash can adds to the park’s authentic Love Park vibe. The park itself is relatively compact, at 3,200 square feet, a deliberate choice by Kalis to create an intimate skating environment. He contrasts it with larger spaces like The Berrics, where the sheer size can feel overwhelming and disorienting.
Why the focus on granite surfaces?
For Kalis, it’s all about the unique feel and sound. “Just the sound. The pop too, the pop is always nice.” He chose “honed granite,” a smooth surface that provides a satisfying bark when powersliding. While it requires regular mopping to maintain grip, the experience is worth the effort. Kalis was seeking an alternative to the ubiquitous “coffee shop style” skateparks, with their fake brick and street league aesthetics. He wanted a space that echoed the raw feel of the old World Industries park, with elements reminiscent of Brooklyn Banks, Pyramid Ledges, JKWON, and of course, Love Park. He even incorporated actual granite tiles from Love Park, which he describes as sounding “just like Love” when skated. “I go in there sometimes and just do 50-50 grinds for the sound and nostalgia,” he admits.
What was the original flooring like before the granite?
The space had an epoxy-covered concrete floor that had to be removed. Kalis described the process as “absolutely terrible,” involving days of using a grinder machine. The most challenging part, however, was laying the 1,600 granite tiles. “Laying the granite tiles was the most torturous part because you’re on your knees,” he recalled. The physical strain was immense, with calluses on his hands from the mortar and aches throughout his body that still lingered months later.
A portrait of Josh Kalis, a skateboarding legend
Will your next DC shoe be a construction boot?
Kalis laughed at the suggestion, joking that he needed one a few months ago. Despite the physical challenges, he’s excited about the project’s progress. The park will also feature an indoor/outdoor “bodega” designed to resemble a boutique skate shop, although it won’t be a retail space. It’s meant to serve as a place for skaters to refresh their gear, relax on a couch, and watch a large TV.
Will you be selling K2 and weed like a real bodega?
“We might have people doing that in there but we won’t be selling it,” Kalis chuckled. There will be no pool tables or ATMs, but they did include an old-school payphone and newspaper stand filled with magazines.
In your “The Build” videos, you’re talking to the camera quite a bit. You’ve become pretty good on camera.
Kalis admitted that being on camera isn’t something he’s entirely comfortable with, as it clashes with his skateboarding background in the 90s and early 2000s, when self-promotion was frowned upon. However, after realizing that his followers wanted to see more of him on his platform, he has been trying to adapt. He now understands the importance of using his platform to connect with his audience, even if it feels a bit “cheesy” at times.
It seems important to advocate for yourself, otherwise, you might be forgotten.
“Everyone’s their own brand now,” Kalis acknowledged, highlighting the shift in skateboarding culture.
Are you inspired by any particular YouTube creators, perhaps from the car world?
Kalis mentioned channels like Sheepey and RDBLA, known for their “vibey, visual-based” content. He admits that he finds little inspiration from the current skateboarding content on YouTube, which he considers stuck in a formulaic “Welcome back to the vlog!” style.
What changes do you envision for skate-focused YouTube content?
Kalis hopes his project will inspire a change. He wants to create a platform for West Michigan skaters to gain exposure. Having spent time living and skating in areas like Philadelphia, he was always able to help those skaters within his scene. However, living away from Michigan has hindered his ability to do the same in his home state. Now that he has returned, and feels “bored as shit”, he has decided to create a new platform that will help local skaters. “What I learned was, if you have the means, you can create industry anywhere.”
Josh Kalis and his crew skateboarding at the new indoor skatepark
Can’t skaters just promote themselves through social media?
Kalis isn’t convinced that social media is the key. While it might work for some, he points out that viral accounts don’t always translate to career success or industry recognition. His perspective is focused on how skaters can transform their passion into a viable career, something that can be difficult to achieve in the current skate landscape.
I agree that followers do not always equal money, and just because you have a following doesn’t mean you’ll be “accepted” into core skating, if that’s what you care about. It still can be tough to break into the core.
Kalis notes that while it’s possible to create a scene, it’s much easier in places that already have established attention. The young skaters he’s working with now aren’t quite there yet, but they are at a point where they could start trying to gain some recognition. He intends to use his park to support them. The park is open for them to skate, film, and post on their social media.
He also shares a story about how he and Stevie Williams had a different approach to skating at Love Park than the previous era of Ricky Oyola. Oyola’s era had a “locals only” mentality, whereas Kalis and Williams took the opposite approach and welcomed anyone who wanted to skate the park. It was more about getting as much exposure as possible for everyone involved.
Kalis envisions the same for his park. He understands it is nowhere near the level of Love Park, but if his park helps younger skaters get free boards, earn a paycheck, and eventually go pro, then he will have met his goal.
Josh Kalis grinding a ledge at the new skatepark
Interview by: Ian Michna
Photos by: Mike Heikkila
